Part music-based video game and part interactive documentary, The Beatles: Rock Band, which is the third entry in the series from Harmonix, captures the essence of the Fab Four like no piece of media that has come before it. Containing only 45 songs, all of which were handpicked from The Beatles’ impressive catalog, this version of Rock Band is a completely stand-alone product. Neither the tracks included on the retail disc nor the planned downloadable content will be transferable to other titles in the franchise. Along with a single disc version, Harmonix and publisher MTV Games will also roll out a special edition bundle that will include replicas of Ringo Starr’s drums and Paul McCartney’s bass. The price point on these two configurations is $59.99 and $249.99 respectively.

Let’s get one thing clear right off the bat: If you don’t care for The Beatles, you probably won’t enjoy The Beatles: Rock Band. The game is entirely self-inclusive and designed as a fond love letter to the most influential band of the 20th century. However, if you have even the slightest appreciation for the boys from Liverpool, the artistic style and rhythm- based game play are at their all-time best in this new version.

Even though the 45 handpicked songs only represent a small fraction of The Beatles' extensive musical library, for game play and historical purposes they set the tone just right. The story mode in The Beatles: Rock Band will literally take you through the group’s rise to super stardom, with stops at The Ed Sullivan Show and Shea Stadium along the way. This method of game design does mean that the mode ends on a bit of a bluesy downer as The Beatles play their final concert atop the Apple Building, but it’s a goose bump- and nostalgia-inducing ride along the way.

Assuming you can extract a lot of enjoyment from all of the uncovered treasures of Beatles memorabilia, the game unlocks as you go and the downloadable content lives up to Haramonix’s track record. This “British Invasion” should continue on for a long time in your living room.

As is the case with all Rock Band games, The Beatles version is at its best when you pack a few friends into your living room, break out some beer and rock away to some of the most memorable songs of all time.

Like Rock Band 2, The Beatles version contains both a "quick play" and"no fail" mode, so it is super easy to get into a song of your choice and everyone can start making beautiful music together regardless of skill level. One of the best, and truthfully only new features in The Beatles: Rock Band, is the ability to harmonize in songs. The vocal tracks will assign different pitches for different members of the band to chime in, assuming you have enough mics. While you and your buddy may not conjure up John and Paul, this is a functionality that you can certainly expect to see in all music games from here on out.

For hardcore Rock Band aficionados, the Beatles version will definitely not test your plastic instrument skill levels. Most of the songs are under three minutes and lack the type of killer solos and drum fills that past entries thrive on. However, the amount of loving detail and care that has been put into this title shows through, and The Beatles: Rock Band brings a level of imagination and graphical appeal never before seen in this genre of gaming.